In a contemporary twist on traditional Irish Aran knitting, our natural ivory cardigan has an asymmetrical wrap style with a single button that creates a cowl-like neck. The textured wool sweaters of the Aran Islands have become a worldwide symbol of Irish culture. The patchwork of different stitches speaks to the ingenuity of generations of knitters.

Since they first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, the textured wool sweaters of the Aran Islands have become “as tenacious an international symbol of Ireland as the harp and Shamrock,” writes historian Dierdre McQuillan. Women on these small, craggy islands in the mouth of Galway Bay had always made clothing by hand, but it wasn’t until the home crafts movement at the end of the 19th century that this practical skill blossomed into an iconic design known around the world. Then as now, the sale of handcrafts was encouraged as a way to continue local traditions and bring extra income into poor farming and fishing communities. Knitters from Donegal, the Channel Islands, and even emigrants returning from America traded techniques, and sweater patterns became more complicated as local women worked together to master new stitches.

National Geographic first commented on the sweaters in a 1931 article, referring to “the blue jersey of the fisherman.” Eventually white became the most popular color for Aran sweaters, and many children on the islands wore a design made just for them for their first holy communion. Early efforts at exporting sweaters through nearby Galway were a challenge until the craftswomen got the hang of standardized sizes rather than knitting for the way their family members were built.

Today, from tourist shops to fashion shows, one can find sweaters based on stitches that were invented by grandmothers and great-grandmothers only a couple of generations ago: cables, diamonds, blackberry stitch, crooked road, half-eights, bird’s eye, honeycomb, and many more. As they say on the islands, Go máire tú is go gcaithe théMay you live and wear it well.

This is a very beautifully knitted and warm cardigan. The knitting patterns are stunning. The yarn is merino wool, so it's not itchy and very comfortable to wear. The only down side is...Read complete review

This is a very beautifully knitted and warm cardigan. The knitting patterns are stunning. The yarn is merino wool, so it's not itchy and very comfortable to wear. The only down side is the sleeves are a bit shorter than American standard. Luckily my size is in the borderline between petite and regular, so I still can wear this cardigan. This cardigan would be perfect, if the sleeve length is 1" longer. For this reason, I rate this cardigan 4 starts, instead of 5.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Lovely Irish Sweater, very warm wool!

I loved the color and texture of the wool and the design of the sweater, but the sleeves were very short. I hope this sweater fits other people better, since it is a...Read complete review

I loved the color and texture of the wool and the design of the sweater, but the sleeves were very short. I hope this sweater fits other people better, since it is a lovely sweater!

The sweater is beautiful and well made. I ordered a small which is my normal size and the sleeves are about 2 inches too short. The sweater doesn't quite lay the way I was expecting - the fit is quite boxy and definitely doesn't look the way it does on the model.

Was this a gift?:

No

From National Geographic:Thank you for sharing your comments. We are sorry to hear that this cardigan did not meet your expectations. If you prefer to return it for a refund or exchange, our customer service representatives would be happy to help you at NGCatalog@ngs.org.

I recently returned from a trip to Ireland where I purchased an ivory colored sweater, which I've worn to work and in my personal life. It wears so well, feels so comfortable & soft to the touch, AND I get compliments every time I wear it, that I wanted another Irish sweater. I just purchased a blue asymmetrical Irish cardigan from the National Geographic Store and it's as beautiful as the one I'd seen in Dublin. It hangs beautifully when worn and, once again, when I wear it, people comment on the design, the quality of the sweater. ...I may just need to buy a third Irish sweater in the charcoal grey.

I've been watching for this to go on sale and bought in Natural. It can be worn with pretty much anything but will have to be worn with a turtle neck underneath as it is a bit itchy. I will be getting the blue when it is in stock again - perfect fit & sleeves are longer than expected from the reviews - no issues there for me! Definitely a cooler weather sweater - early spring, late fall, all winter. Workmanship is incredible with a variety of different stitches used. Definitely a work of art!